The outbreak of diphtheria infection has been reported in some areas of Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahman, the director of the FCT Public Health Department, revealed the information on Monday during a news conference.
The bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which cause the serious infection known as diphtheria, produce toxins that can impair heart rhythm, cause breathing problems, and even cause death.
He recalled that the disease’s initial confirmation of an outbreak in Lagos, Kano, and Ondo states in January had prompted the National Center for Disease to launch a national response.
He explained that after one of the tests from samples taken from suspected cases in a village close to the Dei-Dei area, returned positive, the outbreak of the infection in the FCT was officially confirmed.
The director instructed the residents to practice good personal hygiene and to notify the appropriate authorities of any strange symptoms, especially those that might indicate respiratory distress.
“Our team chose some samples two weeks ago after receiving information about eight cases from a community within the FCT.
One of the suspected cases tested positive after the samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa, and the NCDC, he claimed.
Dr. Abdulrahman clarified that the Department was working with neighboring states to conduct border surveillance in order to stop the disease’s further spread.
Additionally, Dr. Yahaya Vatsa, the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, explained that people who are unvaccinated and those who live in crowded, unhygienic environments are at a high risk of contracting the illness.
He named a few signs and symptoms of the illness, such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and breathing difficulties.
According to him, the illness is contracted through close contact with carriers, inhalation of coughing or sneezing droplets, and contact with contaminated objects and clothing.
He claims that this emphasizes how important environmental sanitation and hygiene are as preventive measures.
“FCT residents are hereby advised to make sure that their children receive three doses of the pentavalent vaccine in order to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. The National Childhood Immunization Schedule advises against this, he continued.
According to the executive secretary, the FCTA and the PHCB have finalized plans to revaccinate children under the age of 14 in the affected communities.
He explained that children between the ages of six weeks and four receive the Penta Vaccine, while those between the ages of four and 14 receive the Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine.
Vatsa that the board would step up routine immunization efforts throughout the FCT’s six Area Councils and bring immunization services to the people’s homes.
He advised anyone exhibiting any of the listed signs and symptoms to keep to themselves and contact the FCT Disease Surveillance Notification Officer or the Emergency Operation Center via the toll-free numbers on the FCT Call Center.
According to Vaster, those who were in close proximity to the infected individuals are being closely watched and given preventative measures.
